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As there are some learned folk on here..

I am a paper assassin only.

My licence reads 'The Rifles, Sound Moderators and Ammunition shall be used for target shooting, and only whilst a member of xxx on ranges suitable for the use of that class of firearm and with adequate financial arrangements in place to meet any injury or damage claim.'

Who says what is a suitable Range?

I am a BASC and NRA member, so insurance is covered...

I have not heard of the local constabulary checking/clearing land for target shooting only bunny plinking etc...

My brain hurts...

I think you are mixing up the words.

It says "ranges suitable for the use of..."

not

"suitable ranges for the use of.."

Therefore... the place you intend to shoot must be classed as a "range" and then must be "suitable for the use of..."

AFAIK, the only ranges that can be used for firearms are those that are Home Office approved.

The local plod do not check/clear land for a type of shooting like target or hunting, they check it for shooting a particular calibre. Once it is cleared for a calibre it is up to the land owner what is shot on it!

Mark

OK, understood.

Brace yourself for a hypothetical...

Local farmer has field. Provides written permission. Get plod to have a look/approve. Spend many happy evenings plinking steel plates?

Cant be that easy?

You are only allowed to shoot on 'Ranges' that have been cleared by a competent authority for that class of firearm/calibre and that also have in place suitable insurance to meet claims for injury or damage.

You can not go and shoot over land that has been cleared by the police for someone else to shoot, for example vermin or game, just because its been cleared. If it says range it means 'range', something formal and recognised with suitable insurance cover in place.

Best thing is to check with your FEO if unsure about what you can and cannot do.

ChrisB wrote:OK, understood.

Brace yourself for a hypothetical...

Local farmer has field. Provides written permission. Get plod to have a look/approve. Spend many happy evenings plinking steel plates?

Cant be that easy?

Yes that can be done but that specific parcel of land would have to be written on your FAC as cleared by the Chief Constable, unless of course, you have an 'Open' ticket.

Cheers John. As MOD quite rightly decided not to be the Authority..This appears to have left a gap being filled by Insurance companies. This is so they can offer the required public liability insurance to clubs on their own 'ranges'.
Who is the recognised body to approve my field? Not sure who the insurance companies use to asses the risks, range templates, danger areas etc...

bigfathairybiker wrote:I think you are mixing up the words.

It says "ranges suitable for the use of..."

not

"suitable ranges for the use of.."

Therefore... the place you intend to shoot must be classed as a "range" and then must be "suitable for the use of..."

AFAIK, the only ranges that can be used for firearms are those that are Home Office approved.

The local plod do not check/clear land for a type of shooting like target or hunting, they check it for shooting a particular calibre. Once it is cleared for a calibre it is up to the land owner what is shot on it!

Mark

Will have a chat with the FEO. Ta.

ChrisB wrote:Cheers John. As MOD quite rightly decided not to be the Authority..This appears to have left a gap being filled by Insurance companies. This is so they can offer the required public liability insurance to clubs on their own 'ranges'.
Who is the recognised body to approve my field? Not sure who the insurance companies use to asses the risks, range templates, danger areas etc...

Tis the NRA for fullbore ranges and the NSRA for smallbore ranges. There's a book available, mostly copied and pasted from the military publication JSP 403 Vol II, on range design, construction and maintenance.

I'd be interested to know whether your FEO would entertain the idea of plinking over land with a target shooting FAC. Would mean changing one of the standard conditions, though.

If the land is cleared for the calibre firearm you want to use there's nothing stopping you 'checking your zero' on a paper/metal target. There is no prescribed number of shots you may/may not take.

Obviously its theres 10 of you blazing away at a bank of targets you may have over stepped the mark :lol: